CEO says RDIF interested in privatization of Russia’s ALROSA

BEIJING, Jun 23 (PRIME) -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) may take part in privatization of uncut diamond mining giant ALROSA together with partners from Asia and the Middle East, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev told reporters Thursday.

“We are discussing that. There is significant interest in that. We are very likely to take part in this together with our partners,” he said answering a corresponding question.

“The geography of our potential co-investors is vast. It includes Asia and the Middle East,” he said, adding that Chinese investors are generally interested in Russia’s privatization but they are also studying all possibilities for development of business in the country.

The Russian government plans to privatize a 10.9% stake in ALROSA in 2016, and to receive more than 50 billion rubles from the sale.

The Federal State Property Management Agency holds 43.93% in ALROSA, the government of the republic of Yakutia holds 25% plus one share, 8% is distributed among eight Yakutia’s regions, and 23.07% is in free-float.

(63.7162 rubles – U.S. $1)

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